GB2174290A

GB2174290A - Refastenable tape system

Info

Publication number: GB2174290A
Application number: GB08610449A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paulette M Rosch; Thomas J Kopacz
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
Current assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
Priority date: 1985-04-29
Filing date: 1986-04-29
Publication date: 1986-11-05
Also published as: US4585450A; AU5600586A; ZA862051B; BR8601806A; CN86102376A; GB8610449D0; KR860007898A

Description

1 GIB 2 174 290 A 1 SPECIFICATION To meetthis latter problem of single

closure adhesive tapefastening systems, there have more Refastenable tape system recently been developed adhesive fastening tape systems that enable two or more closures of the The present invention relates to tape fastening 70 diaper. These constructions utilize pressure sensitive systems for disposable diapers and similar garments, adhesive fastening tabsthat have primary and secon more specificallyto tape systems that provide for daryfastening tapes; the primarytape is used forthe morethan a single closure orfastening of a garment. first closure of the diaper, and the secondary tape for Disposable diapers of thetype widely used today, the second and any subsequent closure of the diaper.

such as those manufactured and sold bythe applicant, 75 A particularly useful structure for a refastenable tape generally comprise a three layercomposite structure system is that currently employed in commercial including a liquid-permeable bodyside liner, a liquid- products made bythe applicant. Refastenable tape impermeable outer cover and a batt of absorbent tabs are secured to each side of the rear panel of the material sandwiched between the liner and the outer diapers nearthe upper margin thereof. Each refasten- cover. The diapers have front and rear panels joined 80 able tab includes a secondary fastening tape having a together by a crotch section; and may be made in a first portion secured to the exterior of the outer cover rectangular or hour glass shape. The front and rear of the diaper and a second portion extending beyond panels each have waist portions that encircle an the side margin of the diaper, the outermost extremity infant's body and are overlapped and joined together of which has a fingertab; a release element adhered to to hold the diamer in place. In orderto eliminate the 85 the liner of the diaper and having a second surface need for pins or other mechanical fasteners to join the which is releasable relative to pressure sensitive waist portions together, which could pose a danger to adhesive; a primary fastening tape having a first the infant, and so as to provide a complete garment surface releasable joined to the adhesive of the that is readyfor use without the need for additional secondary element and carrying pressure sensitive fastening devices, disposable diapers have included 90 adhesive on its opposite surface, the outer extremity pressure sensitive adhesive tabs asfastening means of which has a tab extending beyond the tab of the for securing the front and rear parielstogether about secondary element. During manufacture of the diaper, the waist of an infant. the primarytape is releasably joined to the exposed Atthe inception of disposable diapers as commer- surface of the release element along the body side cial products, the most prevalent fastening means was 95 liner of the diaper, with the second orfree end portion a flexibletab attached to each corner of eitherthe front of the seconclarytape folded over and releasably or rear panel of the diaper (generallythe rear panel) joined to the second surface of the primarytape. The consisting of a strip of flexible material carrying a layer firstclosure of the diaper is made by peeling awaythe of pressure sensitive adhesive on one surface. An end primary fastening tapefrom the release element and portion of the tab was adhered to the outerSUrface of 100 joining the exposed adhesivethereof to the outer the panel and a free end portion extended beyond the cover of thefront panel of the diaper; removal of the side edge of the garment. Thefree end portion was primary fastening tapefrom the release element is covered with a release linerto protectthe pressure facilitated bythe fingertab of the primary element.

sensitive adhesive. When the garmentwas readyto be The secondary fastening tape is positioned atthe front applied, the release linerwas removed from each 105 of the diaper and overliesthe primarytape that forms fastening tab so as to expose the pressure sensitive the initial closure. When it is desired to open the adhesive along thefree end portion of each tab, and diaper, the seconclarytape is peeled from the primary the free end portion was then secured to the outer tape, which is easily accomplished since the adhesive surface of the other panel of the diaper afterthefront layer of the seconclarytape is releasably joined tothe and rear panels were overlapped. 110 second surface of the primarytape; lifting the Theforegoing priorfastening system provided a secondarytale from the primarytape also is facilitated convenient and secure system forfitting a disposable bythefingertab at its outer end. The second closure of diaper about an infant and is still widely used today. the diaper isthereafter made by adhering the pressure However, itsuffers the disadvantage of resulting in sensitive layer of thefree end portion of the secondary only a single-closure fastening system. The liquid 115 tapeto the exposed second surface of the primary impermeable outercover of a disposable diaper is a tape orto a section of the outercover of the diaper, as plasticfilm, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, desired; theformer method, when employed, enables that of necessity is quite thin, such as only about one several more refastenings of the diapersince removal ortwo mills thick. The pressure sensitive adhesive of the secondary tape from the release surface of the used forthe fastening tapes is generally an aggressive 120 primary tape does not rupture the outer layer of the adhesive with good adheasion to the material of the diaper.

outer cover in orderto provide for secure fastening. Multiple closure or refastenable tape systems for When one attempts to remove the fastening tabs from diapers and other disposable garments thus have two a diaper after they have been secured in place, the requirements that must be met for proper operation.

outer cover of the body panel of the diaper to which 125 Firstly, the adhesive member which is to form the the adhesive is secured can be ruptured or stretched initial closure, such as he primary fastening tape or in any event damaged sufficiently to make reuse of described above, must release dependably from the the diaper undesirable. This, for example, prevents a elemeritto which it is secured when in a storage or person from checking diaper after it has been on for closed position. Secondly, the adhesive member awhile and refastening it if it has not been soiled. 130 forming thelinitial closure must remain bonded to the 2 GB 2 174 290 A 2 adhesive layer of the memberthat is to be used for the An embodiment of the present inveitonwil I now be second and subsequent closures of the garment firmly described byway of example with reference to the enough to provide a good initial closure. accompanying drawings in which:

Viewed from one broad aspectthere is herein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a diaper including disclosed a refastenable tape member for disposable 70refastenable tape members according to one embodi- garments including a primarytape elementfor ment; effecting a f irst closure of a portion of the garment, a Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a refasten secondary tape elementfor effecting second and any abletape member; subsequent closures thereof, and a stationary release Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a refastenable tape element secured to the garment and having an 75 member, with portions broken awayto illustrate exposed surface, wherein individual layers and surfaces; (1) the secondary tape element comprises a flexible Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a diaper backing strip and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer showing the initial closure made with a refastenable on a surface of the backing strip, a first portion of the tape member according to the embodiment of Fig. 1; pressure sensitive adhesive layer being adhesively 80 and bonded to part of the garment, and a second portion of Fig. 5 is a perspective view similarto Fig. 4 the pressure sensitive adhesive layer extending illustrating opening of the initial closure of Fig. 4.

beyond the part of the garmentto which thefirst Figs. 1-5 illustrate a disposable diaper 10 compris portion is bonded; ing a liquid-permeable bodyside liner 11, a liquid- (2) the primary tape element comprises a flexible 85 impermeable outer cover 12 and an absorbent batt 13 backing strip having opposed upper and lower secured therebetween. The liner 11 and cover 12 are surfaces and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on largerthan the absorbent batt 13 and have end the uppersurface, the lower surface of the primary marginal portions 14 extending beyond the ends of tape element being in contactwith the pressure the batt and side marginal portions 15 extending sensitive adhesive layer of the secondarytape ele90 beyond the sides of the batt, the liner 11 and cover 12 mentwith a major portion of the area of said lower being secured to each otheralong the end and side surface being releasably joined tothe pressure marginal portions. Conventional materials are used senstive adhesive layer of the secondarytape ele- forthese elements of the diaper 10. The bodyside liner ment, and a minor portion of said lower surface being 11 may be any soft, flexible porous sheet which adhesively bonded to the pressure sensitive adhesive 95 passes fluids thereth roug h and may comprise a layer of the secondary tape element; and nonwoven web or sheet of polyolefin fibers such as (3) the refastenabletape member is foldable be- polypropylene, wet strength tissue paper, a spun tween woven fila m ent sheet, etc. It maybe treated with a (i) a storage position in which the pressure sensitive surfactantto aid in liquid transfer. The cover 12 is a adhesive layer of the primarytape element is releas- 100 liquid- impermeable layer and may comprise a thin ably joined to the exposed surface of the stationary web or sheet of plastic film such as polyethylene, release element and (ii) an open position wherein the polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride orthe like; it may be pressure sensitive adhesive layerof the primarytape transparentor have an embossed or matte surface to element is separated from thestationary release be opaque. The absorbent batt 13 may be of any element and exposed for effecting the first closure of 105 suitable material, generally cellulosic material such as the garment,the secondary tape element being an air-formed batt of wood pulp fibers commonly releasable from the lower surface of the primary tape known as "fluff", and may include compounds to elementwhen in its first closure condition to thereby increase its absorbency.

expose pressure sensitive adhesive layer of the The liner 11, cover 12 and batt 13 may be combined secondarytape elementfor effecting second and 110 in any suitable mannerto form the finished diaper.

subsequent closures of the garment. The elements can be bonded to one another by means Viewed from another broad aspectthere is herein of strips or patterns or hot melt or pressure sensitive disclosed a refastenable tape member for disposable adhesive, overall or patterned heatsealing, strips of garments comprising a primary tape for effecting a doubleface pressure sensitive adhesivetape, etc. A firstclosure of a portion ofthe garment and a 115 particularly effecting bonding system comprises secondary tape for effecting a second and any spaced parallel lines of hot melt adhesive on the subsequent closures thereof, a first side of said interior surface of the outer cover 12, with the primary tape having a layer of pressure sensitive absorbent batt bonded to the cover 12 along sections adhesive for non-releasable attachmentto a garment, of the lines of adhesive and the liner 11 bonded tothe said layer being initially covered by a release sheet, 120 cover 12 along other sections of the lines of adhesive said secondarytape being releasably attachedto said within the end and side marginal portions 14 and 15 primary tape by a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive outside the batt.

wherein over a minor portion of the secondary tape The diaper 10 is of a generally hourglass or I shape there is a stronger bond with the primarytapeto including a central narrowed crotch section 16 con provide resistance to the separation of the secondary 125 necting a rear panel 17 to a front panel 18. Elongate tapefrom the primary tape during separation of the elastic means may be secured in place adjacentthe primary tape from the release sheet and/orto provide absorbent batt 13 on each side thereof to develop initial resistanceto the separation of the secondary gathered elastic leg portions 19 in_the crotch section tapefrom the primary tape upon unfastening said first that are comfortable with an infant's legs. The diaper closure. 130 10 is fitted to an infant with bodyside liner 11 against 3 GB 2 174 290 A 3 the child's skin; end marginal portion 14 of the front its first or I owe rsurface 53. The pressure sensitive panel IS encircles part of the infant's waist and end adhesive layer 52 is adhesively bonded to body side marginal portion 14 of the rear panel 17 encircles the liner 11 of the diaper and is fixed in position thereon.

rest of the frifanirs waist and is overlapped and joined As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the release element 50 to the front panel to hold the diaper in place. 70 may have an end marginal portion 54that overlaps The structure of diaper 10 as described to this point and is adhesively bondedto the secondary closure is conventional and further details of its construction tape element 30. The release element5O has a second may be had by reference, for example, to United or uppersurface 55 which isto function as a release States patent 4,050,462. The diaper 10 is illustrative surface with respectto pressure sensitive adhesive only, and the tape system maybe used with diapers of 75 layer 43 of the primary closure tape element 40 for the other constructions and other shapes such as rec- purpose explained below.

tangular diapers. The term "pressure sensitive adhesive" refersto an The diaper 10 includes refastenable tape members adhesive which is aggressively and permanently tacky 20, illustratively shown as being secured to the rear at room temperature and adheres to othersurfaces panel 17 nea rthe end margin 14 thereof. In Fig. 1, the 80 upon the application of pressure, such as by hand, right hand tape member 20 is depicted in an open without requiring otherforms of activation. Many position and the left hand tape element 20'is shown in suitable formulations of pressure sensitive adhesives a closed orstorage condition. Both tape members 20 are known in the art and may be used for layers 33,43 and 20'are of the same construction, which is and 52. Typical pressure senstive adhesives include illustrated in detail in Figs 2 and 3. 85 synthetic or natural rubber ora synthetic polymer or Each refastenable tape member 20 comprises three copolymer compounded with compatible resin tacki- elements: a foldable secondary closuretape element fiers such as terpene resins, estergum, etc., and 30, a primary closure tape element40 and a stationary dispersed in an appropriate solvent such as organic release element 50. solventorwater.

The secondary closure tape element 30 is made of 90 The term "adhesively bonded" as used herein to an elongate backing strip of flexible material, such as denote the nature of an interfacial bond between an thermoplastic film or paper, having a first surface 32 adhesive layer and another surface or layer means that is covered with a pressure sensitive adhesive thatthe adhesive layer is adhered or bonded to the layer 33. Afirst portion 34 (Fig. 3) of the tape element other surface or layerfirmly enough that the two are 30 is adhesively bonded by means of part of the 95 held together.

pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 to the exterior of As used herein, the terms "releasably joined" to the outer cover 12 of the diaper. A second portion 35 denote the nature of an interfacial bond between an (Fig. 3) of the element 30 extends beyond the side adhesive layer and anothersu rface is defined as edge of the diaper when in the open position of Fig. 2 meaning thatthe surface will cleanly separate from to form a free end portion of the element. The second 100 the adhesive layerwithout significant transfer of the portion 35 of the element 30 is to be foldable about the adhesive to the surface. Thus for example, the surface side edge of the diaper between the closed or storage 44 of tape element 40 is releasably joined to pressu re position as illustrated by tape member 20'in Fig. 1 and sensitive adhesive layer 33 of tape element 30 and the open position as illustrated bytape member 20 in surface 55 of the element 50 is releasably joined to Fig. 1. An end section of the element 30 at its outer 105 pressure sensitive adhesive layer 43 of tape element extremity remote from the diaper is folded over and 40 when a tape member is in its closed position. The joined along part of the pressure sensitive adhesive materials forthe element 30 and 50 should either be layer33 to form a fingertab 36. inherently releasable with respectto pressure sensi The primary closure tape element 40 is made of a tive adhesive or compromise a material having a strip of flexible material, such as thermoplastic film or 110 suitable release coating on its surface in contact with paper, and has a first or upper surface 42 that is its respective adhesive layer. Surfaces which are to covered with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer 43. have this release characteristic can be coated or The second or lower surface 44 of the element 40, impregnated with suitable low surface energy mate opposite from the first surface 42, is releasably joined rials, for example silicone coatings, carbarnate coat to pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 of the secon- 115 ings based upon the reaction products of polyvinyl dary closure tape element30 overthe major portion of alcohol with aliphatic isocyanates, and othertypes of its area which is identified as portion A in Fig. 3. A release coatings which are well known in the art.

minor portion of the area of surface 44 indicated as The manner of producing the end portion B of the end marginal portion B in Fig. 3 is to be adhesively tape element 40 will vary depending on the nature of bonded to the pressure sensitive layer 33 of the 120 the material from which the element 40 is made. If the secondary closure tape element 30, the purpose of element 40 has a release coating on its lower surface which will be described hereinafter. Marginal portion 44, the release coating can be removed by dissolving B of thesurface 44 is also identified in Fig. 2asthe the coating with a solvent along an end portion B. portion extending outboard of dashed line 45; dashed Also, the release coating can be covered, or masked, line 45 is shown M Fig. 2 for clarity of description and 125 along an end portion B.A particularly useful meansto normally is not present on the surface 44 of the accomplish this isto apply a colour coating containing element40. a suitable pigment or dye overthe release coating Stationary release element 50 of the refastenable along an end portion B. This will mask the release tape member 20 comprises a strip of thermoplastic coating and also provide a coloured identification or film or paper having a pressure sensitive layer 52 on 130 iocatorforthe end portion B. If the surface 40 is a 4- GB 2 174 290 A 4 materialthatis inherently releasable,the end portion members 20 and 20'are opened in this fashion, which B can betreated orcoated so thatitcan adhesively condition isshown in Fig. 5, sothatthe diapercan be bondtothe pressure sensitive adhesive layer33 of checked or even removed from the infant. If the diaper tape element 30. The portion A is to comprise to the is to remain in use, the userthen reclosesthe major portion of the area of surface 44 of element 40, 70 members 20 and 20' byjoining the pressure sensitive and portion B the minor portion thereof. For optimum adhesive layer 33 of each secondary closure tape results, the area of end portion B is about 15 to 25% of element 30 to eitherthe second surface 44 of the the area of surface 44 of the primary closure tape primary closure tape elements 40 orto a freah portion element 40, most preferably about20% thereof. of the exterior of the cover 12 of thefront panel. If When the diaper 10 is manufactured and packaged 75 refastening is accomplished by rejoining the pressure ready for use,the refastenable tape members 20 and sensitive adhesive layer 33 to the element 40,the 20'are both folded to theirclosed or storage position diaper may be opened several more times if necessary shown with referenceto member 20'in Fig. 1. In the by repeating the procedure as described. However, if storage position, the secondary closuretape element only a second closure of the diaper is required, the 30 of each member 20 and 20'is folded over aboutthe 80 secondary closure tape element 30 may be adhered to adjacent side edge of the diaper and the pressure a fresh portion of the exterior of the cover 12 of the senstive adhesive layer43 of the primary closure tape front panel outside of the primary closure tape element40 of each member contacts and is releasably element40.

joined to the second or upper surface 55 of a stationary There hasthus been described a refastenable tape release element 50. This positions the free end portion 85 system for disposable diapers and similargarments of the secondary closuretape element30 in board that is useful in providing fortwo or more openings of the diaper and covers the pressure sensitive and refastenings of the garment. The construction has adhesive layer43 of the tape element40. The user two important characteristics,which are useful in a withdraws a diaperfrom a box or other suitable refastenable tape system.

package thereof with the refastenable tape members 90 (1) In connection with refastenable pressure sensitive and 20'in this condition. adhesive tape closure means, it is necessarythat the To effect the initial closure of the diaper, the user primary closure tape release dependably from the grasps the finger tab 36 of the.seconclary closuretape stationary releasetape elementto which its pressure element30 and separates the-pressure sensitive sensitive adhesive layeris attached when thetape adhesive layer 43 of the primary closu retape element 95 closure means is in its closed position. This feature is from the stationary release element 50. This obtained due to the primary closure tape element 40 separation is readily obtained since, as noted pre- being adhesively bonded to the secondary closure viously, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer43 is tape element30 along its end portion B. This will rel easably joined to the outer surface 55 of the ensure thatthe primary closure tape element 40 will element 50. The userthen hinges the secondary 100 remain adhered to the secondary closure tape ele closure tape element 30 aboutthe side edge of the ment 30 when the refastenabletape closure members diaper to the open position illustrated with respect to 20 and 20'are folded to their open position. Greater the member 20 in Fig. 1. Afterfitting the diaper about reliability is obtained because the adhesive bonding of an infant, the rear panel 17 is overlapped with thefront portion B to the tape element 30 is independent of the panel 18 of the diaper and the primary closure tape 105 release characteristic of the upper surface 55 of the element 40 of each refastenable tape member 20 and stationary release element 50. When the stationary 20'is adhesively bonded along its pressure sensitive release element is formed of a strip of material coated adhesive layer43 to the outer cover of thefront panel with a release coating, variations in the release 18 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. When both coating will affectthe releasability of the primary members 20 and 20'arejoined to thefront panels in 110 closuretapefrom the stationary release element and it thisfashion,the diaper is securely held aboutthewaist can sometimes happen that if an insufficient amount of the infant. of release coating is on the release elementthe If it is desired to checkthe diaper at anytime after it primary closuretape will not releasefrorn itwhen has been first applied, the mother may grasp the desired; if this should occurthe primary closure tape fingertab 36 of the secondary closuretape element30 115 element40 will remain adhered to the element 50 and and separatethe pressure sensitive adhesive layer33 the refastenability of the system will be destroyed. (2) thereof from the surface 44 of the primary closure tape When the diaper is first closed by means of the element40 merely by lifting the element30 away from primary closuretape element40 in the manner the element40. Because the pressure sensitive illustrated in Fig. 4,the adhesive bond between the adhesive layer33 of the secondary closuretape 120 primary closuretape element and the secondary element30 is releasably joined to the second surface closure tape element:30 along the end marginal 44 of the primary closuretape element40, the element portion B of theformerwill aid in preventing is readily separated from the element 40 bythis accidental or premature separation of the primary and operation. The primary closure tape element 40 seconclarytape elements during the initial closure.

remains adhered to the cover 12 of the diaper along 125 The prior art systems known havethe entire surface of thefront panel thereof becausethe adhesive bond a primarytape element releasably joined to an between the pressure sensitive adhesive layer43 to adhesive layer of a seconclarytape element so that the outercover 12 is strongerthan the releasable there will be a greater chance for premature separa joinder bond between the surface 44 and the pressure tion of the two elements during the initial closure of sensitive adhesive layer 33. Both refastenable tape 130 the diaper.

GB 2 174 290 A 5 Itwill be apparentthat many modifications may be tape element being in contactwith the pressure made to the described embodiment. Forexample, the sensitive adhesive layer of the secondarytape ele primary closure tape element 50 has been described ment with a major portion of the area of said lower above as including an end portion B that is to be su rface being releasablyjoined to the pressure adhesively bonded to the pressure senstive adhesive 70 sensitive adhesive layer of the secondary tape ele- layer33 of the secondary closure tape element30. The ment, and a minor portion of said lower surface being end marginal portion B may be adhesively bonded to adhesively bonded to the pressure sensitive adhesive the pressure senstive adhesive layer33 along its entire layer of the secondarytape element; and area as illustrated, or it may have a patterned zone that (3) the refastenable tape member is foldable between is bonded to the pressure senstive adhesive layer 75 (i) a storage position in which the pressure sensitive along spaced discrete portions. Also, the marginal adhesive layer of the primarytape element is releas portion B is shown as being an end portion of the ablyjoined to the exposed surface of the stationary primary closuretape element 50 but it may also release element and (ii) an open position wherein the comprise a side, or edge, portion of the element40. pressure sensitive adhesive layer of the primarytape Still further, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 43 80 element is separated from the stationary release of the primaryclosure tape element40 is illustrated as element and exposed for effecting the first closure of being releasably joined to the pressure sensitive the garment, the secondarytape element being adhesive layer30 along its entire area exceptforthe releasable from the lowersurface of the primary tape marginal portion B; another alternative would beto elementwhen in its first closure condition to thereby providethe surface 44 of thetape element40 with a 85 expose pressure sensitive adhesive layer of the patterned adhesive layerso thatthe elementwould secondarytape elementfor effecting second and have discrete spaced zones throughoutthe area of the subsequent closures of the garment.

surface 44that would be releasa bly joined to the 2. A refastenable tapemember according to claim pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 of the tape 1 wherein: the minor portion of the lower surface of element30. 90 the primary tape element is about 15 to 25% of the The refastenable tape system disclosed above area of the lower surface of the primary tape element.

satisfies the criteria of refastenable tape systems for 3. A refastenable tape member according to claim diapers and other disposable garments. A refasten- 2, wherein: the minor portion of the lower surface of able tape member is provided having primary and the primary tape element is about 20% of the area of secondary closure tape elements wherein the primary 95 said lower surface.

closure tape element has a surface with a major 4. A refastenable tape member according to claim portion releasablyjoined to pressure sensitive adhe- 1, 2 or3 wherein: the minor portion of the lower sive of the secondary closure tape element and a surface of the primary tape element adhesively minor portion that is adhesively joined to pressure bonded to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer of the sensitive adhesive of the secondary closure tape 100 secondary tape element comprises an end portion of element. This construction ensures dependable re- said lower surface.

lease of the primary closure tape elementfrom its 5. A refastenable tape member according to any storage postion and enhancement of the strength of preceding claim wherein: the lower surface of the an initial closure made with the refastenabie tape primary tape element is coated with a release coating, member. 105 and the release coating is masked along the minor Modifications to the specific embodiments and to portionthereof.

any broad aspectthereof referred to orsuggested 6. A refastenable tape member according to claim herein maybe apparentto those skilled in the art and 1, 2 or 4 wherein: onlythe major portion of the lower the disclosure hereof is intended to encompass any surface of the primary tape element is coated with a such modifications. 110 release coating.

Claims

CLAIMS 7. A refastenable tape member according to claim

1. A refastena ble tape member for disposable 5 wherein: the minor portion of the lower surface of garments including a primary tape element for the primarytape element is coloured.

effecting a first closure of a portion of the garment, a 8. A refastenable tape member according to any secondary tape element for effecting second and any 115 preceding claim wherein: the second portion of the subsequent closures thereof, and a stationary release secondary tape element includes an end section element secured to the garment and having an remote from the garment that is folded over and exposed surface, wherein joined to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer of the (1) the secondary tape element comprises a flexible secondary tape element to forma finger tab.

backing strip and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer -120 9. A refastenable tape member for disposable on a surface of the backing strip, a first portion of the garments comprising a primary tape for effecting a pressure sensitive adhesive layer being adhesively first closure of a portion of the garment and a bonded to part of the garment, and a second portion of secondary tape for effecting a second and any the pressure sensitve adhesive layer extending subsequent closures thereof, a first side of said beyond the part of the garment to which the first 125 primary tape having a layer of pressure sensitive portion is bonded; adhesive for non-releasable attachment to a garment, (2) the primarytape element comprises a flexible said layer being initially covered by a release sheet backing strip having opposed and upper and lower said secondary tape being releasably attached to said surfaces and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on primarytape by a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive the upper surface, the lower surface of the primary 130 wherein over a minor portion of the secondary tape 6 GB 2 174 290 A 6 there is a stronger bond with the primarytapeto provide resistance to the separation ofthe secondary tapefromthe primary tape during separation of the primary tape from the release sheet and/orto provide 5 initial resistance to the separation oftheseconclary tapefrom the primarytape upon unfastening saidfirst closure.

10. A refastenabletape member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accom10 panying drawings.

11. A diaper including a refastenable tape member according to any preceding claim.

Printed in the United Kingdom for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 8818935, 11/86 18996. Published at the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A IAY, from which copies may be obtained.